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Government Information

US Federal Government Information

The symbol of the Federal Depository Library Program comprised of an eagle and book

The government of the United States of America produces government information and statistics on a wide variety of topics that can be used by practitioners, researchers and students. This guide introduces users to the most useful databases and websites for finding this information. The United States, like other governments, offers comprehensive search engine or portal to government information. See: https://www.usa.gov/ . These can be great places to start, As one looks through the results it helpful to note which government agency or department is responsible for producing and disseminating the desired information as well the publication schedule and depository requirements.

The UC Davis Library is a Selective Federal Depository Library, and open to UC Davis affiliates, as well as the general public. Online and paper copies in our collection are represented and can be searched in our catalog

Laws, Legislation and Regulations

The US President

Federal Documents at Peter. J. Shields Library

The UC Davis Library is a Selective Federal Depository Library. As such, Peter J. Shields Library has a large collection of historical and current documents. While US government documents are received in paper copy, and increasing number of government documents may only be available via US Government web sites. US government documents, both in paper copy and online, are represented in the Library catalog.  

Paper government publications in the Peter J. Shields Library are mainly located on the lower level in the Government Information closed stacks collection. They can be retrieved and checked out whenever the library is open. Publications located in the Government Information stacks can be identified by the “Doc” in front of the call number that you’ll find in the catalog. Please ask at the first floor Information Desk when an assistant is available; at other times ask at the Peter J, Shields Library Circulation Services to have a staff member retrieve a known document by call number.